German mechanical engineers play in the Champions League around the world and, according to the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), form the backbone of the German economy. German machine builders often operate in the premium segment. What they generally have in common is a high level of research and development, operational excellence and proven reliability, in short – their high-tech know-how, machinery, components and solutions usually set the benchmark against which others are happy to be measured.

11 March was the fourth anniversary of the reactor accident at Fukushima. Following this disaster, Japan's power system has been completely restructured – with the creation of new photovoltaic facilities. An interview with photovoltaics expert Dr. Rolf Sohrmann about the Fukushima reactor catastrophe and the ongoing restructuring of the Japanese power grid.